Delko Marseille Provence has announced the signing of the Japanese rider Ishigami Masahiro from the 2020 season.

Just days after the announcing of the collaboration of Nippo and the French team from 2020, it has been known the name of the first Japanese rider that will arrive to strengthen the formation. Ishigami Masahiro will ride in the colours of the team in 2020, where he will start his career as a professional cyclist.

"I am extremely happy to have signed with the professional team of the South Region (Région Sud) where I spent the last three seasons at the AVC Aix club and I thank all the people who helped me to reach this level," said the rider. "I haven't been very lucky this year, though, in one year I broke my collarbone three times! After the third fracture, I even thought about stopping cycling. But thanks to the support of my teammates, my family and my friends, I managed to get through these difficult times.

"I now consider that it is a matter of responsibility to reach the highest possible level, for all those people who believed in me. I now look forward to this new adventure of my life..."

Frederic Rostaing, manager of Delko Marseille Provence welcomed the news. "Coming from the national team managed by our friend Akira Asada, 'Masa' comes from AVC Aix-en-Provence, a club with which we work closely for the training of young people," he explained. "Thus, we have also followed its constant progress with particular interest. His willingness to achieve and his determination are a guarantee of his future success."